21-Year-Old Gunned Down In Spring Garden Section After Robbery Attempt

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — 21-year-old Lamont Wallace was shot in the chest and died early Thursday morning in what appears to be a robbery.

Lamont was murdered just before 1 a.m. as he was coming home from working the Phillies game Wednesday evening. According to sources Lamont stopped on his way home to get Chinese food near Broad and Girard Streets.

“I guess he got approached in the Chinese food store for money and when he did not have it, they followed him,” said Lamont’s cousin speaking exclusively with Eyewitness News.

Police say at least two suspects asked Lamont for $20, he did not give the suspects any money and they followed him for several blocks while he was on the phone with a friend.

“He was on the phone with his friend Nano explaining to him that he was being followed and that is when his friend heard the shots,” said the cousin.

The shooting happened in the 800 block of Marvine Street in the Spring Garden section of the city, right next to Drexel’s Family Health Service building. Lamont was just a few feet away from his home when he was shot.

“He was a good young man, he didn’t bother anybody and stayed to himself, he did not deserve this at all”

Police have stepped up patrols in the area and have reviewed nearby suerviellance cameras. Sources tell Eyewitness News there has been an increase in random shootings and murders in this area.

“It’s just frustrating because it happens all the time to people who don’t deserve it.”

I am so sick of our young black men being gunned down by cowards that arent’ doing anything positive and constructive with their lives. I have three sons and worry all the time, because they are good kids just llike this young man was. I’m afraid that one day a low-life will take their lives like they took this young man’s life. But remember, God is watching and they will suffer for the rest of their life on earth and on their trip to the underground. God doesn’t like evil and ugly. Laugh and play now, but definitely cry and suffer later.